Pakistan guns silent for now, but state of alert remains at Line of Control

Pakistan guns silent for now, but state of alert remains at Line of Control

“We are in a state of alert,” the officer said. “Despite the present lull, threat is ever-present, as the enemy cannot be trusted — especially after the surgical strikes (along the LoC on September 29).”

Written by Arun Sharma
| Line Of Control |
Published: October 11, 2016 3:30 am

The Pakistani guns across the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir may have remained silent since Wednesday evening, but Indian soldiers remain on a state of alert. “After outbreak of hostilities even at a small scale, it is normal practice on both sides for soldiers to replenish their war stores and check their positions against any damage,” an Army officer at a forward location in Nowshera sector said Monday.

“We are in a state of alert,” the officer said. “Despite the present lull, threat is ever-present, as the enemy cannot be trusted — especially after the surgical strikes (along the LoC on September 29).”

“As the area has numerous gaps between the barbed wire fence and the LoC on Indian side, our troops are patrolling the area round the clock,” the officer said. “Besides physical domination of the area, we have increased vigil by adding electronic surveillance equipment on ground as well.”

This is the last Indian post on the LoC facing Kuppagalla ridge, followed by a higher Kalidhar ridge — both on the Pakistani side.

The heightened alert in the area is not without basis — on the other side of the LoC is Bhimber, the area in PoK where the Army’s special forces are believed to have carried out one of the surgical strikes. On the other side along the LoC is Pakistan’s Samani post, and troops there, too, have restricted all movements to night.

“Please do not move ahead. They (Pakistani troops) may be watching your movement,” a soldier at a forward post alerted. Almost coincidentally, Pakistani troops raised red flag on one of its posts across the LoC, conveying their objection to their movement at a location so closer to the LoC.